“We had a great group of applicants including a state championship coach and a couple of guys with college ties, but Michael is the one who jumped off the page at us,” Kavanaugh said. “We believe he’ll work well with the group we have returning.”

Wilson has worked with some of the best coaches in the area. He played at Woodlawn under Leon Shaw graduating in 1986. He was mentored by former Plain Dealing coach David Bryant and coached with Reni Mason at Evangel for six seasons.

He also coached with Kenny Sykes at Woodlawn and with Mack Jones last year at Huntington.

“I’ve learned something along the way from every one of those guys,” Wilson said. “I guess I’ve paid my dues.”

He also coached one season at University Christian Prep, but this will be Wilson’s first head coaching job at the high school level.

Kavanaugh said that since Wilson has been working within Caddo Parish, he has already hit the ground running in Vivian meeting with staff and players.